If Al Gore had won in 2000....

[Joe Republic]

... do you think he would have won re-election in 2004?  Also, who might have run against him?

[The Dowager Mod]

We would all be dead or enslaved now according to conservatives.

[MaC]

We would all be dead or enslaved now according to conservatives.

They were equally as bad.  Bush was not worse than Gore would've been.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

There's a good chance he would have prevented 9/11. If he hadn't, he would have ended up with about a 5% approval rating after the media went berserk saying how that if Bush was President he would have stopped 9/11.

[Joe Republic]

There's a good chance he would have prevented 9/11.

Do you seriously believe that?  I mean, if Clinton couldn't prevent it in a few years, what makes you think Gore could have in a few months?

If he hadn't, he would have ended up with about a 5% approval rating after the media went berserk saying how that if Bush was President he would have stopped 9/11.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think anybody in the media is currently saying that Gore would have prevented 9/11, because I expect they want to maintain at least some credibility.  Hence, Bush does not have a 5% approval rating.

[ATFFL]

There's a good chance he would have prevented 9/11.

Do you seriously believe that?  I mean, if Clinton couldn't prevent it in a few years, what makes you think Gore could have in a few months?

If he hadn't, he would have ended up with about a 5% approval rating after the media went berserk saying how that if Bush was President he would have stopped 9/11.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think anybody in the media is currently saying that Gore would have prevented 9/11, because I expect they want to maintain at least some credibility.  Hence, Bush does not have a 5% approval rating.

Gore would have used his super powers to intercept thw planes, subdue the hijackers, and put them safely on the ground, at their destination.  He then would have talked the Taliban into turning over UBL, and into becoming a free and open democracy.

He would hve stopped the hurricanes with his super-breath, kept a spy plane from crashing in China and repaired the ozone layer with one of his super-farts, which are laden with anti-CFCs.

All of this while ramming Kyoto through the Senate, reducing greenhouse gasses instantly and preventing global warming, on both Earth AND Mars.

In his free time he would have invented the successor to the Internet and the first working FTL drive.

[J. J.]

Obviously Freedumbburnout is sharing his stash with Jfern.

[Defarge]

9/11 occurs.  The same Rally Around the President Effect takes place, Gore's approval ratings shoot into the 90's.  We go into Afghanistan.  However, we do not go into Iraq.  As a result, with our focus undivided, we have a better chance of catching Osama.  Without a war dividing the nation, but the economy still suffering, Gore wins reelection with a margin slightly larger than Bush's. 

[Joe Republic]

That's definitely much more likely, especially with Iraq.  I doubt that would ever have happened with Gore.

As for possible candidates running against him in 2004?  I guess the obvious option is John McCain.  Dubya himself most likely wouldn't have tried again, probably for the same reasons that Gore didn't in the real world.  Anybody else?

[A18]

We would all be dead or enslaved now. And with Gore as president, I'd prefer it be the former.

[Jake]

9/11 occurs.  The same Rally Around the President Effect takes place, Gore's approval ratings shoot into the 90's.  We go into Afghanistan.  However, we do not go into Iraq.  As a result, with our focus undivided, we have a better chance of catching Osama.  Without a war dividing the nation, but the economy still suffering, Gore wins reelection with a margin slightly larger than Bush's. 

Ya never know what would've happened. 9/11 could've easily have not even happened for various reasons, not the least that without a real change in administration, something would've gotten noticed. Also, you never know what the result of Gore's actions in the next 3.5 years would've been. Afghanistan with a couple times more troops could've easily turned into a massive bloodbath in the mountains.

[Inverted Things]

After a long and bitter battle over the state of Florida, Al Gore is inaugurated as the President of these United States on January 20, 2001. Angered over the Democrat's victory, the partisan branch of the Republicans refuses to acknowledge Gore's presidency. Even Bush and Cheney refused to concede.

The economy, which was wounded by the prolonged uncertainty of the presidency, continues to slowly fall. Cheney puts the blame on Gore for the continued recession, and Gore's approval ratings eventually fall into the high 30's.

Of course, unbeknownst to all, terrorists have been plotting an attack against the US. On September 11, 2001 terrorists crash two planes into the twin towers, one plane into the pentagon, and a fourth plane crashes into rural Pensylvania. Interestingly, Gore was visiting the Pentagon at the time of the attack. Immediately following the attack on the pentagon Gore delivers a speech to the effect of "We've been attacked. We're working to find out by whom. Please stay calm." Gore then retreats to Camp David and is immediately branded a coward by Bush and Cheney.

Gore tries to be methodical, wanting to be very certain that 1) Osama bin Laden did it and 2) Osama is in Afghanistan before launching any action. A leaked CIA memo confirming both of these conditions to a 75% probability gets to Fox News, who quickly criticize Gore's handling as too nice. In response, Gore releases several other memos showing considerable doubt on the issue. These are ignored by everyone except CNN.

Finally, in mid November 2001, Gore claims he has proof positive that bin Laden did it and that he is in Afghanistan. We go into Afghanistan and capture bin Laden within a week. The conservatives argue that we should have taken out the "terrorist sympathizers" running Afghanistan. Gore's approval ratings, which had been in the low 70's immediately following the terrorist attacks, have fallen back to the low 30's.

Someone else can continue this.

[Speed of Sound]

After a long and bitter battle over the state of Florida, Al Gore is inaugurated as the President of these United States on January 20, 2001. Angered over the Democrat's victory, the partisan branch of the Republicans refuses to acknowledge Gore's presidency. Even Bush and Cheney refused to concede.

The economy, which was wounded by the prolonged uncertainty of the presidency, continues to slowly fall. Cheney puts the blame on Gore for the continued recession, and Gore's approval ratings eventually fall into the high 30's.

Of course, unbeknownst to all, terrorists have been plotting an attack against the US. On September 11, 2001 terrorists crash two planes into the twin towers, one plane into the pentagon, and a fourth plane crashes into rural Pensylvania. Interestingly, Gore was visiting the Pentagon at the time of the attack. Immediately following the attack on the pentagon Gore delivers a speech to the effect of "We've been attacked. We're working to find out by whom. Please stay calm." Gore then retreats to Camp David and is immediately branded a coward by Bush and Cheney.

Gore tries to be methodical, wanting to be very certain that 1) Osama bin Laden did it and 2) Osama is in Afghanistan before launching any action. A leaked CIA memo confirming both of these conditions to a 75% probability gets to Fox News, who quickly criticize Gore's handling as too nice. In response, Gore releases several other memos showing considerable doubt on the issue. These are ignored by everyone except CNN.

Finally, in mid November 2001, Gore claims he has proof positive that bin Laden did it and that he is in Afghanistan. We go into Afghanistan and capture bin Laden within a week. The conservatives argue that we should have taken out the "terrorist sympathizers" running Afghanistan. Gore's approval ratings, which had been in the low 70's immediately following the terrorist attacks, have fallen back to the low 30's.

Someone else can continue this.

I have no idea how half of this could happen, and the last paragraph confuses me. Alot. If we caught Osama in a week, wouldnt his approval ratings rise?

[Inverted Things]

After a long and bitter battle over the state of Florida, Al Gore is inaugurated as the President of these United States on January 20, 2001. Angered over the Democrat's victory, the partisan branch of the Republicans refuses to acknowledge Gore's presidency. Even Bush and Cheney refused to concede.

The economy, which was wounded by the prolonged uncertainty of the presidency, continues to slowly fall. Cheney puts the blame on Gore for the continued recession, and Gore's approval ratings eventually fall into the high 30's.

Of course, unbeknownst to all, terrorists have been plotting an attack against the US. On September 11, 2001 terrorists crash two planes into the twin towers, one plane into the pentagon, and a fourth plane crashes into rural Pensylvania. Interestingly, Gore was visiting the Pentagon at the time of the attack. Immediately following the attack on the pentagon Gore delivers a speech to the effect of "We've been attacked. We're working to find out by whom. Please stay calm." Gore then retreats to Camp David and is immediately branded a coward by Bush and Cheney.

Gore tries to be methodical, wanting to be very certain that 1) Osama bin Laden did it and 2) Osama is in Afghanistan before launching any action. A leaked CIA memo confirming both of these conditions to a 75% probability gets to Fox News, who quickly criticize Gore's handling as too nice. In response, Gore releases several other memos showing considerable doubt on the issue. These are ignored by everyone except CNN.

Finally, in mid November 2001, Gore claims he has proof positive that bin Laden did it and that he is in Afghanistan. We go into Afghanistan and capture bin Laden within a week. The conservatives argue that we should have taken out the "terrorist sympathizers" running Afghanistan. Gore's approval ratings, which had been in the low 70's immediately following the terrorist attacks, have fallen back to the low 30's.

Someone else can continue this.

I have no idea how half of this could happen, and the last paragraph confuses me. Alot. If we caught Osama in a week, wouldnt his approval ratings rise?

The main point I was trying to make is that Bush and Cheney (mostly Cheney) would never let Gore do anything without criticizing him.

[Speed of Sound]

After a long and bitter battle over the state of Florida, Al Gore is inaugurated as the President of these United States on January 20, 2001. Angered over the Democrat's victory, the partisan branch of the Republicans refuses to acknowledge Gore's presidency. Even Bush and Cheney refused to concede.

The economy, which was wounded by the prolonged uncertainty of the presidency, continues to slowly fall. Cheney puts the blame on Gore for the continued recession, and Gore's approval ratings eventually fall into the high 30's.

Of course, unbeknownst to all, terrorists have been plotting an attack against the US. On September 11, 2001 terrorists crash two planes into the twin towers, one plane into the pentagon, and a fourth plane crashes into rural Pensylvania. Interestingly, Gore was visiting the Pentagon at the time of the attack. Immediately following the attack on the pentagon Gore delivers a speech to the effect of "We've been attacked. We're working to find out by whom. Please stay calm." Gore then retreats to Camp David and is immediately branded a coward by Bush and Cheney.

Gore tries to be methodical, wanting to be very certain that 1) Osama bin Laden did it and 2) Osama is in Afghanistan before launching any action. A leaked CIA memo confirming both of these conditions to a 75% probability gets to Fox News, who quickly criticize Gore's handling as too nice. In response, Gore releases several other memos showing considerable doubt on the issue. These are ignored by everyone except CNN.

Finally, in mid November 2001, Gore claims he has proof positive that bin Laden did it and that he is in Afghanistan. We go into Afghanistan and capture bin Laden within a week. The conservatives argue that we should have taken out the "terrorist sympathizers" running Afghanistan. Gore's approval ratings, which had been in the low 70's immediately following the terrorist attacks, have fallen back to the low 30's.

Someone else can continue this.

I have no idea how half of this could happen, and the last paragraph confuses me. Alot. If we caught Osama in a week, wouldnt his approval ratings rise?

The main point I was trying to make is that Bush and Cheney (mostly Cheney) would never let Gore do anything without criticizing him.

true, but how much would the public listen?

[ATFFL]

Al Gore's brief first term:

The economy continues to slide.  Gridlock keeps him from getting his tax hike on the wealthy.

He gets his Social Security lockbox.  Without tapping this money to balance the budget, deficits return fifteen seconds later.  The budget battle grinds slowly forward with the Republicans refusing to cut defense and Gore refusing to cut social spnding.

On Spetember 11th, nothing noteworth happens.  Al Gore has not had a memo about bin laden wanting to strike within the US as he has continues the Clinton administration policy of generally pretending Al Queda does not exist until they do something and then trying to forget about it as quickly as possible.

On December 7th, AQ strikes.  The general continuation of the previous administration convinced them they would not be found out anytime soon.  They hijack 6 planes.  2 hit the World Trade Center, 1 hits the Sears Tower,  and 1 hits the Pentagon, 1 the Capitol and 1 the White House.  Gore is meeting with his cabinet when the White House is hit.  The entire executive branch is wiped out in seconds.

The Capitol is partially evacuated by the time it is hit.  Many Congressmen were still in their offices in other buildings at the time of the attack.  Congress survives mostly intact. 

The Sears tower partially collapses and the south tower of the WTC collapses.  The north tower is struck only a glancing blow and miraculously survives.  It becomes nicknamed the lonely tower and is repaired as quickly as possible.

Denis Hastert becomes President of the United States at 11:15 AM.

[Citizen James]

Brief history

July/August 2000 - The elections board of south palm beach county decides the "butterfly ballot" is too confusing and goes with a more traditional outlay.

November 7, 2000 Gore wins Florida by a margin of about 3,000 votes.  A week later following a recount Bush conceeds.

January 20, 2001 President Gore is sworn in as the 43rd President of the United States.

February 3, 2001  Several Cruise missiles strike a small encampment near the Afganistan/Pakistan border.  30 people are killed, including Saudi financeer and suspected terrorist supporter Usoma Bin Laden.  Some on the far left complain about violation of international law and Afgan airspace, but are largely ignored.

Febuary 9, 2001 A sub running an "emergency blow" drill accidently capsizes a Japanese fishing vessel, causing a loss of all abord.  He apologizes to the Japanese people and promises an investigation.

April 1, 2001 A survelance/spy plane flying just outside Chinese airspace collides with a Chinese fighter jet and makes an emergency landing in China.  The crew is held for two weeks until president Gore makes a carefully worded apology for the incident expressing remorse over the loss of the pilot while not admiting responsibility.   Conservative pundits have a field day labeling Gore as soft on the Chinese and rehashing the Buddhist temple controversy.

June 5, 2001 Jim Jeffords of Vermont remains a Republican.  Nothing noteworthy happens.

August 6, 2001  President Gore is informed that Al Queda plans to hijack American airliners are underway.  He orders security in airports increased.  Travelers quietly grumble.

August 11, 2001 President Gore annouces his support for "limited stem cell research" allowing embreos created for artificial insemination but not used to be donated for research, but discouraging embreos being created solely for the purpose of research.

September 11, 2001 About 2800 Americans are killed after airliners strike the twin towers of the world trade center.  A third jet crashes in rural Pennsylvania.  "Persons of interest" Khalid al-Mihdhar, Nawaf al-Hazmi and Salem al-Hazmi are held at Dulles international airport for questioning after having setting off metal detectors while attempting to board American airlines flight 77.  They are later taken into custody by federal marshals under intense securty.  President Gore addresses the nation from  an airbase in Colorado and attempts to reasure the nation that the people behind this attack will pay.

September 13, 2001 The FBI issues a most wanted for Majed Mahed and Hani Hanjur as suspected cohorts of the aborted attempt to hijack AA flight 77.  They are believed to have fled the country.

Conservative pundits complain that Gore is weak on terror and the attacks would have never happened if Bush were president.  Gore's popularity soars into the mid 80s anyway.

October 5, 2001 Richard Clarke becomes the first secretary of the newly created department of homeland security.

October 8, 2001  Operation Enduring Freedom begins using coordinated intellegence and airstrike, coupled with the addition of special forces to bolster the efforts of the anti-Taliban northern alliance.   The invasion is a great success. Gore's approval rockets to the high 80's.

January 20, 2002 In his state of the union address President Gore announces an ambitious proposal to double automobile fuel efficency within the next five years in order to eliminate our dependency on foriegn oil.

I'll continue later - soon to come, Michael Moore critisizes Gore and accuses him of war crimes in Afganistan, while claiming the war was to promote a gas pipeline for exxon/mobile.

[The Man From G.O.P.]

There's a good chance he would have prevented 9/11. If he hadn't, he would have ended up with about a 5% approval rating after the media went berserk saying how that if Bush was President he would have stopped 9/11.

I swear, you must be joking to get a reaction, provide evidence that Gore could have stopped it.

[ATFFL]

There's a good chance he would have prevented 9/11. If he hadn't, he would have ended up with about a 5% approval rating after the media went berserk saying how that if Bush was President he would have stopped 9/11.

I swear, you must be joking to get a reaction, provide evidence that Gore could have stopped it.

You do not understand.  Liberals have the power to make everything perfect.  They put their hands over their ears, close their eyes and sing loudly about how great the world would be if they were in charge. 

When in power, they put their head in the sand and pretend everything is perfect.  This position is the reason why conservatives frequently kick their asses.

[Beet]

The point is, by the "butterfly affect" alone, there is a significant chance it wouldn't have been pulled off. That by itself has nothing to do with policy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect

[dazzleman]

There's a good chance he would have prevented 9/11. If he hadn't, he would have ended up with about a 5% approval rating after the media went berserk saying how that if Bush was President he would have stopped 9/11.

I swear, you must be joking to get a reaction, provide evidence that Gore could have stopped it.

You do not understand.  Liberals have the power to make everything perfect.  They put their hands over their ears, close their eyes and sing loudly about how great the world would be if they were in charge. 

When in power, they put their head in the sand and pretend everything is perfect.  This position is the reason why conservatives frequently kick their asses.

^^^^^^^^

[Smash255]

I would say Defarge's post with a little cross of Citizen James's post (so far) would have been the most lilkley result

[ATFFL]

The point is, by the "butterfly affect" alone, there is a significant chance it wouldn't have been pulled off. That by itself has nothing to do with policy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_effect

There is also a chance it is worse.  The people on the flight that crashed are at home and a different group does not take action.  AQ decides with relative stability in government to try one of their more ambitious plans and hit more targets.

Do not confuse chaos theory and the butterfly effect with the law of unintended consequences.  The first two should only apply to attempts to describe the universt with math, and then they should be understood that the so called chaos could be a result of our limited understanding or ability to model the system.  Thus, is the problem with our weather models them damn quantum butterflies flapping their wings or the fact that our atmosphere models go no smaller than 200 miles and thus completely ignore clouds?

The law of unintended consequences is what applies to a human driven, non mathematical event.

[Max Power]

I cannot stand people who say "GORE WOULD SURRENDER TO THE TERRORISTS BECAUSE HE LOVES TERRORISM" or "GORE WOULD HAVE STOPPED 9/11 BY SHOOTING DOWN THE PLANES BY HIMSELF".

[Gabu]

I cannot stand people who say "GORE WOULD SURRENDER TO THE TERRORISTS BECAUSE HE LOVES TERRORISM" or "GORE WOULD HAVE STOPPED 9/11 BY SHOOTING DOWN THE PLANES BY HIMSELF".

AL GORE HAS LASER EYES LIKE CYCLOPS

AL GORE WOULD HAVE OWNED ALL THE PLANES JUST BY LOOKING OUT THE WINDOW

AL GORE IS THE MAN